Baseball's Under the Radar Team

By (Correspondent) on June 1, 2009

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BEIJING - MARCH 14:  San Diego Padres Adrian Gonzalez of the San Diego Padres attends the 2008 Major League Baseball (MLB) China Series training at Beijing's Wukesong Stadium on March 14, 2008 in Beijing, China. The San Diego Padres will face the Los Ange

These are the guys having great years that nobody is talking about. Each deserves some All-Star votes but probably won't make the team. Here is a position-by-position look at who makes up the Under the Radar team so far:

Batters stats are listed as:
Batting Avg./ Homeruns/ RBI/ On-base + Slugging
Pitching stats are listed as:
W/ Strikeouts/ ERA/ WHIP
(Stats are through May 30)

Matt Cain

DENVER - MAY 07:  Starting pitcher Matt Cain #18 of the San Francisco Giants delivers against the Colorado Rockies during MLB action at Coors Field on May 7, 2009 in Denver, Colorado.  (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

66.1IP/ 6w / 46k/ 2.31ERA/ 1.31WHIP

Six wins on that team is remarkable.

Brian McCann

NEW YORK - MAY 12:  Brian McCann #16 of the Atlanta Braves runs against the New York Mets on May 12, 2009 at Citi Field in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. The Mets defeated the Braves 4-3 in 10 innings.  (Photo by Jim McI

.321avg./ 5 HR / 18 RBI / .926 OPS

After a really slow start, McCann has turned it on and should get an All-Star nod.

Adrian Gonzalez

DENVER - MAY 31:  Adrian Gonzalez #23 of the San Diego Padres watches his third inning three run homerun off of starting pitcher Jorge De La Rosa of the Colorado Rockies during MLB action at Coors Field on May 31, 2009 in Denver, Colorado.  (Photo by Doug

He is on pace to hit over 60 home runs by hitting 20 in his first 50 games.

Brian Roberts

KANSAS CITY - MAY 14:  Brian Roberts #1 of the Baltimore Orioles celebrates in the dugout against the Kansas City Royals on May 14, 2009 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by: Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

The Orioles are struggling, and Roberts' performance is being overshadowed by Adam Jones' breakout season.

Michael Young

OAKLAND, CA - MAY 07:  Michael Young #10 of the Texas Rangers waits in the field against the Oakland Athletics during a Major League Baseball game on May 7, 2009 at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

.323 avg / 7 HR/ 19 RBI / .895 OPS

Young has struggled this past week, but he has put up great numbers while playing a new position (third base).

Miguel Tejada

PITTSBURGH - APRIL 13:  Miguel Tejada #10 of the Houston Astros fields the ball during the Opening Day game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on April 13, 2009 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  (Photo by: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

.344/ 5 / 26/ .883 OPS

Tejada managed to avoid jail time and has performed at the dish for the Astros.

Luke Scott

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 15:  Luke Scott of the Baltimore Orioles at bat while wearing jersey #42 to commemorate Jackie Robinson day during a game against the Texas Rangers on April 15, 2009 at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, Texas.  (Photo by Ronald Martinez

.336 avg / 10 HR / 27 RBI/ 1.085 OPS

Luke Scott has gone into beast mode, popping off four dingers in two games on May 28-29. Another Oriole overlooked because of their record.

Justin Upton

Display_image

.329 avg. / 9 HR / 29 RBI

So under the radar that Getty Images doesn't even have a picture of him.

Hunter Pence

DENVER - MAY 14:  Hunter Pence #9 of the Houston Astros takes an at bat against the Colorado Rockies during MLB action at Coors Field on May 14, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. The Astros defeated the Rockies -3.  (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

.351avg/ 5 HR/ 19 RBI

Pence is having a breakout season of his own......too bad he plays for the Astros.

Frank Francisco

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 13:  Pitcher Frank Francisco #50 of the Texas Rangers on April 13, 2009 at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, Texas.  (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

If you are someone who goes strictly by stats, Francisco could arguably be the best closer in baseball.

Why?

He has not given up an earned run in 17 innings (going into this past Sunday)

1 win, 11 saves, 18 k's, 0.00 ERA, .85 WHIP

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